Child Trust Fund: "money should fund more teachers" - Robinson

1.25.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th Apr 2005

Lib Dem Candidate Stephen Robinson at Primary School "We will add an extra 21,000 teachers".

West Chelmsford Lib Dem candidate Stephen Robinson says, "Liberal Democrats will scrap the discredited Child Trust Fund and use the money to add an extra 21,000 teachers for 5-11 year olds, and will get class sizes down so there is more individual time for primary school children."

He went on, "High quality education for our children is essential for our future, and is the best investment we can make for the next generation."

"The more time a teacher can spend with a child, the better the chances for that child. The Liberal Democrats will fund 21,000 new primary school teachers. Teachers who can bring out the best in them and inspire our children to learn and to be ambitious.

"Across West Chelmsford, this will mean lower class sizes for infants (an average of only 20 pupils per teacher - down from 25). And lower class sizes for juniors - with an average of 25 pupils per teacher - down from 27."

"The Child Trust Fund favours those whose parents can afford to save more for their children. Instead of a cash hand out for 18 year olds, we will spend the money reducing class sizes. This benefits all children regardless of their parents wealth or background."